Djokovic beats Federer for Indian Wells crown

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns a shot from Roger Federer, of Switzerland, in the final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 16, 2014, in Indian Wells, Calif. AP

INDIAN WELLS – World number two Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Roger Federer in a three-set thriller Sunday for the Indian Wells ATP Masters title.

Djokovic defeated Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to capture his third title in the California desert to go with those he won in 2008 and 2011.

In the 33rd career meeting between the tennis heavyweights, Djokovic avenged a loss to 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer in the semi-finals last month at Dubai.

Federer earned his first title in nine months in Dubai and will rise from eighth to fifth in the world on the strength of reaching the Indian Wells final.